Anything that will haul bikes and get 30mpg?

She had liked my 316i with its awesome drive and 35-36mpg highway mileage. I show up the stealer and he's basically like "we don't do those here, only 328i and up". Can't believe BMW and others can't make money off their small engined models that use standard gas and get upwards of 40mpg these days. I suppose they would import them if they'd make money, but it still kills me when I think the product range available elsewhere.

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It's not a matter of making money, it's that they bill themselves as a luxury-only brand here and don't want to dilute their marketing message. Mercedes does the same thing. No A-series here, no cloth seats, no manual windows, etc.

It's not a matter of making money, it's that they bill themselves as a luxury-only brand here and don't want to dilute their marketing message. Mercedes does the same thing. No A-series here, no cloth seats, no manual windows, etc.

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Yes, isn't it funny that all over the world they use Mecedes as taxis? Maybe they could do a Acura/Honda reversal. Bring in their lower models as another line and sell them rebadged at another dealership? Probably never happen.

Yes, isn't it funny that all over the world they use Mecedes as taxis? Maybe they could do a Acura/Honda reversal. Bring in their lower models as another line and sell them rebadged at another dealership? Probably never happen.

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The only non-commercial brand name they have available is Smart. I don't think that would work for a stripped C-class, but they could perhaps sell the A as a stretch Smart. I don't know what BMW would do.

An 80s CRX with the hatch cut out so you can stuff a bike in there. Otherwise your options are small TDI with a trailer. Nothing else will get a realistic 30mpg pulling bikes. A lot of people don't know how to calculate gas mileage. The numbers I hear people toss around daily, about their cars MPG, make me laugh, then cry. There's always ONE person who claims to get twice the MPG out of a certain vehicle, than anyone else has ever gotten!

The key is a very light trailer with high pressure skinny tires being towed by a car that gets great gas mileage. I've driven this set up from Central Oregon to Death Valley and back averaging 42 mpg on the trip. Most of the trip was cruising at 60 to 65 mph.

The key is a very light trailer with high pressure skinny tires being towed by a car that gets great gas mileage. I've driven this set up from Central Oregon to Death Valley and back averaging 42 mpg on the trip. Most of the trip was cruising at 60 to 65 mph.

It's not a matter of making money, it's that they bill themselves as a luxury-only brand here and don't want to dilute their marketing message. Mercedes does the same thing. No A-series here, no cloth seats, no manual windows, etc.

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Interesting point. So it comes down to positioning themselves as luxury only. Too bad because those small engines are efficient and extremely economical.

Was doing some searching on car vs truck for bikes. I keep thinking of trading my GLK off for a new Silverado and trying to justify living with a "pickup" for the 95% of my driving that is not hauling anything. This was an interesting thread and I think I'll trade for a new diesel GLK when my lease is up.

Test drove Tacoma, Silverado and decided a full size is the way to go if you're gonna invest in a truck. But the ride isn't nearly as good, not as easy to get in and out of, and parking is a bitch in comparison. I find my 'car' very comfortable and it gets 20mph pulling the bikes. Plus the trailer is much easier to load and unload compared to a pickup. I've owned several trucks and always get to the point where I can't wait to get rid of them.

I have a spring-over conversion on my trailer for pulling it behind a motorhome, but it seems to work fine for the car too. Probably have two or three thousand travel mile on it like this and it tows 65-70 easy and still gets 20 or better.

They have been out for a little while. The smaller Audi looks nice too and I assume they compete in the same market segment.

Any used smaller diesel SUVs out there? We can get cheap diesel down here.

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The gas version has the same running gear as the ML350, a 3.5L V6 with 7 speed auto, rated to tow 3500. I think the ML is about double that because of it's size. It's a strong runner and pulls bikes like you don't know they're there. I wouldn't want to tow a 3K pound boat with it though. Has the smaller c-class chassis components and 19" wheels. Tires are STUPID expensive and only last 25K miles.

The 4cyl CDI diesel is coming out in a couple of months and expected to have more torque and only in the 4-matic AWD. Supposed to be about 5mpg better than the gas, maybe a lot more on the hiway. Spendy though, they'll be mid-40K's.

The only other diesel suv's I'm aware of is the Grand Cherokee, can get the 5cyl motor the sprinter van has. Great motor, lots of torque and good fuel economy. For me though, the only jeep I could stand would have to be a wrangler softtop.

The Audi Q's rate higher with the reviewers and are a little more fancy inside, but I will never forget the 5000 and 100LS. Some of the worst cars in history. And they're too closely tied to VW and I still think all of them things are a PITA to maintain. At least the little benzo is solid. 20K miles an it's never been back to the dealer, not a single issue. Have just changed the oil a few times and clean out the air filter. Flawless operation. The MBTex uphostery is fantastic too. I don't know where they get their vinyl, but everybody thinks it's leather, it's comfy, and way easy to maintain.

The BMW X3 falls in this category too. I like their cars but not so much their SUVs. And BMW's are expensive to maintain once out of warranty. I know, we had a 325 'vert for 8 years to over a hundred grand. I spent a fortune keeping it running in tip top shape. Great driving car, but PITA to keep up.

The benzo is full of electronic gadgets too, auto-up and down windows, lots of funky little computer programmed things like wipers, lights, and switches. Huge glass top that opens. It is my fifth MB I have owned. I have a 34 year old one in the garage too.

I sure got the hots for a pickup, the Tacomas are way cool, F150 with Ecoboost, and the Silverado extended cab with leather got almost on my buy list. But I've backed away for the time being. Going to see just how many times I'll really haul bike trailer with it. Usually the motorhome goes, or we ride from home, or somebody else drives.